Most evacuees will head for shelter at a friend or family member’s house. Make sure you’ve agreed on arrangements for your pet.

If you are staying in a hotel, call ahead or check its website to find out if it accepts pets and what rules or restrictions might apply.

Have a secure carrier and a five-to-seven day supply of food and water for each pet ahead of time because those items tend to run out of stock as a storm nears, Robinson said.

“Have a list together as well,” she said. “It’s hard to think under pressure sometimes, but having a list ahead of time can be very helpful and relieve stress on the pet and the owner.”

Pets may need medicines and medical records. Be sure they have correct ID tags that include the pet’s name and multiple family contacts and telephone numbers, Robinson said.

Plan your evacuation and consult a list of pet-friendly hotels along the route. A Google search for “pet friendly hotels” turns up several helpful websites. Redrover.org, run by a nonprofit, offers links to pet-friendly hotels and other disaster-related information. Most hotel chains display their pet policies online.

In either Terrebonne or Lafourche, if you evacuate in a parish bus to a shelter in Monroe for a major hurricane, you can take your pet with you as long as it is in a carrier that fits on your lap. Pets will not be allowed to take up seat space that could be used by a person.

“We know people want to make sure their pets are safe when a storm comes, and we are providing those resources,” said Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet.

In Terrebonne, larger dogs can go to the shelter in a separate bus that will follow evacuees, but they must be in carriers or cages that you supply. In Lafourche, you’ll have to make arrangements for larger dogs on your own.

Pets are not allowed at local shelters opened during less severe storms.

The Humane Society of the United States suggests these pet-care tips in times of disaster:

-- Start now by making sure that your cat or dog is wearing a collar and identification that is up-to-date and visible. You’ll increase your chances of being reunited with a lost pet by having him or her microchipped.

-- Put your cellphone number on your pet’s tag. It may also be a good idea to include the phone number of a friend or relative outside your immediate area in case you cannot be reached.

-- Keep a disaster kit in your car. Make sure it includes cleanup supplies like a litter box, litter and scoop for cats and plastic bags for dogs.

-- If you have larger animals or multiple pets, you may need to make separate or special arrangements. Find a family member or friend who lives outside the disaster zone to help.

-- Don’t take your pet to the local animal shelter. Workers will likely be busy evacuating animals in their care and dealing with strays.

-- Avoid leaving an animal in danger.

“Animals turned loose to fend for themselves are likely to become victims of exposure, starvation, predators, contaminated food or water or accidents,” the Humane Society says. “Leaving dogs tied or chained outside in a disaster is a death sentence.”

<p>Responsible owners will want to have a plan in place for taking care of their pets if a hurricane evacuation is ordered.</p><p>“Planning ahead is the biggest thing,” said Valerie Robinson, director of Terrebonne Animal Shelter.</p><p>Most evacuees will head for shelter at a friend or family member's house. Make sure you've agreed on arrangements for your pet.</p><p>If you are staying in a hotel, call ahead or check its website to find out if it accepts pets and what rules or restrictions might apply.</p><p>Have a secure carrier and a five-to-seven day supply of food and water for each pet ahead of time because those items tend to run out of stock as a storm nears, Robinson said.</p><p>“Have a list together as well,” she said. “It's hard to think under pressure sometimes, but having a list ahead of time can be very helpful and relieve stress on the pet and the owner.”</p><p>Pets may need medicines and medical records. Be sure they have correct ID tags that include the pet's name and multiple family contacts and telephone numbers, Robinson said.</p><p>Plan your evacuation and consult a list of pet-friendly hotels along the route. A Google search for “pet friendly hotels” turns up several helpful websites. Redrover.org, run by a nonprofit, offers links to pet-friendly hotels and other disaster-related information. Most hotel chains display their pet policies online.</p><p>In either Terrebonne or Lafourche, if you evacuate in a parish bus to a shelter in Monroe for a major hurricane, you can take your pet with you as long as it is in a carrier that fits on your lap. Pets will not be allowed to take up seat space that could be used by a person.</p><p>“We know people want to make sure their pets are safe when a storm comes, and we are providing those resources,” said Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet.</p><p>In Terrebonne, larger dogs can go to the shelter in a separate bus that will follow evacuees, but they must be in carriers or cages that you supply. In Lafourche, you'll have to make arrangements for larger dogs on your own.</p><p>Pets are not allowed at local shelters opened during less severe storms.</p><p>The Humane Society of the United States suggests these pet-care tips in times of disaster:</p><p>-- Start now by making sure that your cat or dog is wearing a collar and identification that is up-to-date and visible. You'll increase your chances of being reunited with a lost pet by having him or her microchipped. </p><p>-- Put your cellphone number on your pet's tag. It may also be a good idea to include the phone number of a friend or relative outside your immediate area in case you cannot be reached.</p><p>-- Keep a disaster kit in your car. Make sure it includes cleanup supplies like a litter box, litter and scoop for cats and plastic bags for dogs.</p><p>-- If you have larger animals or multiple pets, you may need to make separate or special arrangements. Find a family member or friend who lives outside the disaster zone to help.</p><p>-- Don't take your pet to the local animal shelter. Workers will likely be busy evacuating animals in their care and dealing with strays.</p><p>-- Avoid leaving an animal in danger.</p><p>“Animals turned loose to fend for themselves are likely to become victims of exposure, starvation, predators, contaminated food or water or accidents,” the Humane Society says. “Leaving dogs tied or chained outside in a disaster is a death sentence.”</p>